Whiz Kid of the Week: Newsome Senior Earns Eagle Scout Badge

Bloomingdale Patch Whiz Kid Travis Ingraham

NAME: Travis Ingraham, senior

SCHOOL: Newsome High School

ACCOMPLISHMENT: Earned Eagle Scout rank

DETAILS: What does Lithia resident Travis Ingraham have in common with Neil Armstrong, Steven Spielberg and Donald Rumsfeld? The answer: They are all Eagle Scouts.

The Eagle Scout award is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts and only 4 percent of Scouts go on to earn it. Boy Scouts begin their career by following an outlined progression of achievement in outdoor skills, community service and leadership. The boys earn merit badges along the way as they become proficient in a certain area. Eagle Scouts must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges with several required badges such as First Aid, Personal Fitness and Environmental Science.

Ingraham of Boy Scout Troup 628 was recently awarded this prestigious honor for his dedication and involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. He began his Scouting career at the age of 7 and knew back then that he wanted to become an Eagle Scout.

“His goal from the beginning was always the attainment of Eagle Scout,” his father, John Ingraham, said.

Throughout his career as a Scout, Ingraham has learned the importance of giving back to the community.

“I have been involved in multiple activities like Metropolitan Ministries, Angel Food Ministries, the Special Olympics, Life is Good, Fishhawk Ranch community events and countless others. Every December, my troop travels to a Plant City nursing home and sings holiday carols to the residents. In my high school career, I have achieved over 200 hours of community service,” he said.

Eagle Scouts must perform service projects that make an impact as one of their final requirements. Ingraham focused his efforts on the Alafia River State Park.

“I, with the help of my troop, waterproofed the 150-foot boardwalk and multiple benches that make up the outdoor amphitheater in Alafia River State Park. I also built a 2-foot by 1.5-foot by 4-foot-tall podium so the park officials can store their computer equipment and host day and nighttime Power Point presentations, “ he said.

Ingraham is currently a senior at Newsome High School and plans on using his years in the Scouts as well as his training in the JROTC to earn a degree in mechanical engineering. From there, his plans are to serve eight years in the military as an officer.

“After my college education and military service, I would like to either become a military contractor or an engineer/ inventor that will help solve the many problems we face in modern society like global warming, oil dependency or world hunger,” he said.

Ingraham’s father, who is also a Scoutmaster for Troop 628, said he was committed to keeping his son interested in the Scouts by providing relevant and interesting activities.

“I was able to keep Travis interested in Scouting by integrating the tenants of the Boy Scout Oath and Scout Law in all troop activities,” he said.

“Scouting is a way to improve yourself as an overall person, while learning invaluable skills. I recommend it to everyone because Scouting has given me some of my favorite memories,” Ingraham said.